The Past
Businesses
Churches
Communities
~ Enderby
~ Grindrod
~ Hupel
~ ~ John Dale
~ ~ Men of Hupel
~ ~ Hupel Stage
~ ~ Hupel
School
~ Kingfisher/
Mabel Lake
~ Mara
~ Population
Community Services
Entertainment
Ethnic Groups
Geography
Heritage Homes
Industries
Organizations
People
Schools
Transportation
Mike
Hupel homesteaded in the valley in 1903, when he built a small log cabin on the
river bank. Because there was only a pack trail at that time, he would haul his supplies
by canoe, a trip taking two or three days. A rough road was put through about 1904, and
Hupel constructed a larger log building to accomodate travellers. He was awarded the mail
contract in 1905. In 1910 he started the first stage service. He
left Hupel in 1913 after selling his ranch to Sir James Baird.
Sir James Baird bought the Hupel homestead in 1913 after moving here from Scotland. He operated the post office, the stopping house, and the horse-drawn stage. For many years he advertised it as "Hupel Hot Springs", possibly because it was the best place for a hot bath. He was a popular man and soon made Hupel a well patronized place. When the war broke out he returned to England leaving his friend, John Dale, to look after the place. He returned with his wife for one year, then returned again in 1922 when he owned the Hupel homestead in partnership with Bill Petch, a British automobile manufacturere. Petch had a larger house built by John Dale adjoing the original one. He placed a replica of a large frog on the side of the building, and the place was often referred to as "Frog Ranch".
Henry Torrent at age 19, in 1906, came to Canada. He couldn't speak any English, but he could speak German, Italian, and French. Mr. Torrent spent most of his time studying how to speak English, on the way over on the boat. Torrent stayed in Ontario, then soon after came to the Okanagan in 1907. He then worked at A.R. Rogers Lumber Company in Enderby. Torrent operated the post office and stage from 1922 until 1929, until Mrs. Hall of Mabel Lake took it over for awhile. Torrent moved to Lumby in 1936, and opened a pole yard in Lumby and another in Irish Creek. He operated simply under the name Henry Torrent, Lumby. To local people the name was synonymous with a flourishing business with top quality products. In 1951 at the age of 64 Mr. Torrent bought 15 acres by Kalamalka Lake, near Vernon, where he retired with his wife Laura.
Dick Blackburn purchased the homested in 1934, and sold the property to Theodore Adams in 1947. A log building was added for a garage. Many people operated the Hupel Store and Garage over the years, including Lillian Hobbs, Eva Monkhouse, Frank Baumle, and Ernie Chantler. Lizzie and Orval Fitzgerald opened the first cafe in 1947. Ernie Chantler bought the Hupel store and garage in 1954 from Theodore Adams. He tore down the original log building in 1960 and built a new house and store, before selling it to the Crossleys.
Albert George Crossley was born in March, 1918. He was active in World War II. His wife Violet come from England as a baby. Mr. Crossley and his wife came to the Kingfisher community in 1964. They lived at the present Murry MacDonald Place. They bought Hupel in 1965 from Fred Chantler. They closed the store down in 1973. Mr. Crossley died at Hupel at the age of 61, in 1979. Mrs. Crossley is still alive and lives at Hupel.
Jean Fitzgerald
ALF School, 1989